Process for welding a cast iron wear member to a cam follower

Abstract

A cam follower and process of manufacture in which a hardenable cast iron reaction member is welded, as by high energy beam welding, to the end of a tubular, mild steel base member. The surface of the reaction member may be decarburized before welding. The weld is preferably characterized by austenitic properties and is formed by an alloy of nickel with the metal of the cam follower members.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a process for making a cam follower having a cast iron reaction member welded to a steel base member at respective interfacing surfaces therebetween, the improvement comprising the steps of: plating a nickel-rich consumable weld metal onto the steel member interface surface; and   welding said members at said interface, whereby the presence of the nickel-rich consumable plating produces a weld zone therebetween having austenitic properties including good ductility and impact resistance.   
     
     
       2. A process for making a cam follower having an end surface of a tubular steel base member welded to a surface of a cast iron reaction member, the process comprising the steps of; plating said base member end surface with nickel-rich consumable weld metal, fitting said reaction member surface to the base member plated end surface,   heating said fitted members,   welding said members together to create an austenitic weld zone formed by an alloy of said plating and the material of said reaction and base members, and   heating said reaction and base members after welding to reduce cracking.   
     
     
       3. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein said welding step is carried out by high energy beam welding. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 including the step of decarburizing the surface of said reaction member prior to welding. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein said nickel-rich weld metal is elemental nickel. 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein said nickel-rich weld metal is an austenitic stainless steel having good weldability. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 2 including the step of decarburizing the surface of said reaction member prior to the step of fitting the reaction and base members together.